DeKalb News

From Decaturish:

DECATUR, Ga. — The Decatur City Commission will create a reparations task force that will include three residents with familial ties to the Beacon Hill or Oakhurst communities. The Decatur City Commission, at its May 5 meeting, unanimously approved a resolution from the Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights to create the reparations task […]

From Decaturish:

By Atlanta News First staff ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A parent has filed a lawsuit against the DeKalb County School District and school leadership over several alleged bullying incidents at an elementary school during the 2023-24 school year. The lawsuit details several incidents involving the plaintiff’s daughter, who is a first grader at Ashford […]

From Decaturish:

DECATUR, Ga — Thirteen of City Schools of Decatur’s staff members are retiring from the district as the 2024-2025 school year ends.  The City Schools of Decatur Board of Education recognized these 13 retirees during its May 13 board meeting. The retirees represented a range of roles, including teachers, nutrition staff, administrative business support and […]

From Decaturish:

BY EVELYN CALDWELL decaturish@appenmedia.com Darlings, gather ’round. This week, the universe poured a cocktail of questions that hit me right in the heart—and the heels. It’s all about becoming: becoming bold enough to wear who you are, brave enough to let go of what no longer fits, and brilliant enough to dream at full volume, […]

From Decaturish:

AVONDALE ESTATES, Ga. — Nestled a few blocks from the main strip of downtown Avondale Estates in the Rail Arts district, a 2-acre block containing Little Tree Art Studios and Globe Arts Center is full of artists buzzing through the day and night. Both are controlled by the Means family, which has been promoting arts […]

From Decaturish:

DECATUR, Ga. — On Saturday, May 17, more than 100 people rallied on the Decatur Square for government transparency and marched to the post office to mail letters to elected representatives encouraging them to hold people responsible for withholding public information.  STAND, a local civil rights group dedicated to compassionate governance and defending the dignity […]

From Decaturish:

ATLANTA — DeKalb County Watershed was at the scene on May 20 after a water distribution valve failed, causing service issues in the Clairmont Terrace and Wakefield Forest subdivisions. “Customers in the area may be experiencing low to no water service due to the repairs being made,” an announcement from the county says. “Crews will […]

From Decaturish:

DECATUR, Ga. — Decatur Police are investigating after a child attending a local after-school program was left on a hot bus for over 45 minutes. The child is OK. The incident occurred on May 19 at SoulShine Decatur, a local preschool. The day care bus picked the child up from a City Schools of Decatur […]

From Decaturish:

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County School District in 2024 became one of the first in Georgia to address smartphone use by students and district officials say the effort has yielded positive results.  In July 2024, a pilot program called Disconnect to Reconnect was implemented across 18 schools in DCSD. According to Director of Student […]

From Decaturish:

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga — Many DeKalb County elementary students have been spending their Saturdays outside the classroom, playing in DeKalb County School District’s inaugural flag football season. In 2024, DeKalb County School District implemented a free program to offer athletics to fourth and fifth-grade students. Flag football was chosen as the fifth and final sport […]

From Decaturish:

STONECREST, Ga. — The Arabia Alliance, a nonprofit that supports the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, has launched a reading program to feature local authors and artists. The free program, which started in March 2024, features interactive readings. So far, the program has hosted a Little Free Library unveiling at Vaughters’ Barn with author Kyle […]

From Decaturish:

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. – The cities of Decatur and Avondale Estates are transforming their business districts.  Both are undertaking huge public works projects that are lengthy, expensive and disrupt the local economy. Officials in each city are helping businesses navigate the short-term uncertainty while predicting a long-term economic payoff.  Avondale Estates is narrowing U.S. 278 […]

From Decaturish:

BT ADRIANNE MURCHISON decaturish@appenmedia.com Arepa Mia in Avondale Estates offers a taste of Venezuela, with a menu centered on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Led by chef Lis Hernandez, the restaurant is deeply rooted in heritage. Hernandez shared how she grew up in Venezuela, where her mother sold arepas on the streets for more than 25 […]

From Decaturish:

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — After experiencing openness and menstrual cycle awareness while living abroad, DeKalb County resident Carrie McKinnon wants to share that knowledge. McKinnon is working with a team to develop 28ish, an app that will track habits, hormones, and periods so women and people who bleed can understand their cycles and how hormones […]

From Decaturish:

Decatur, GA— The Decatur City Commission, at its May 19 regular meeting, approved a change order related to the Atlanta Avenue railroad crossing project. While the project is still slowly chugging along, it could still be another year before it is bid and construction begins. The change order is for $20,900 with CSX Transportation, Inc., for […]

From Decaturish:

DECATUR, Ga. — Decatur FC, a semiprofessional women’s soccer team, looks forward to potentially setting more attendance records and continuing a high standard on the field during its second season. Gareth O’Sullivan, a city resident and business owner, launched the semipro women’s team last year, alongside Head Coach Campbell Chapman and Assistant Coach Jack Marchant. […]

From Decaturish:

AVONDALE ESTATES, Ga — The 4th annual WigWag Art and Music Festival is set to return to The Globe Arts Center in Avondale Estates on Saturday, May 31, with Atlanta indie-rock band Girlpuppy headlining the event. The free and family-friendly festival is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will feature eight band performances, […]

From Decaturish:

ATLANTA — People packed Bessie Branham Park for the 22nd Annual Kirkwood Spring Fling Festival on Saturday, May 17.  Spring Fling is the primary fundraiser for Kirkwood Neighbors Organization (KNO) and features a tour of homes, 5K run and festival with live music, artist market, food, kids’ area and wing competition.   Proceeds from the festival […]

From Decaturish:

DECATUR, Ga. — Smiley’s Burger Club in Decatur offers simple smash burgers with a side of smiles and community. Smiley’s Burger Club is located at 310 E. Howard Ave., next to Kelly’s Market and Opo Coffee. The restaurant took over the space formerly occupied by BBQ Café, which closed in August 2023. Smiley’s is open […]

From Decaturish:

Decatur, GA — The Decatur City Commission will meet on Monday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Decatur City Hall, located at 509 N. McDonough Street, and virtually via Zoom. There will also be a dinner session at 5 p.m. and two work sessions at 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. The work sessions will focus […]

From Decaturish:

DECATUR, Ga — Decatur High School’s Mock Trial team took home a school-best fourth place out of 47 teams at this year’s National Championship in Phoenix, Arizona. DHS’ team represented the state of Georgia and competed from May 7-10 after winning their second straight state championship in March. Their fourth-place result surpasses their 10th place […]

From Decaturish:

Editor’s Note: This story deals with suicide. If you or someone you know is in a crisis or are seeking help, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 988. Or call the Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) at 1-800-715-4225. If you need additional resources, the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the […]

From Decaturish:

BY KING WILLIAMS decaturish@appenmedia.com South DeKalb needs an upgrade in both housing stock and design. One idea that could jump-start this new era of housing design could be taken from an existing successful model: Serenbe Serenbe (ser-en-be), located in Chattahoochee Hills, is a bespoke, high-end master-planned community located at the edge of Fulton County, in […]

From Decaturish:

DECATUR, Ga—Agnes Scott College’s annual health fair, “Thrive Together,” will return to its main campus on Thursday, June 5. The goal is to provide health and wellness resources to the Decatur community. According to an Agnes Scott College press release, the fair will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the campus’s main quadrangle […]

From Decaturish:

DECATUR, Ga. — The Decatur Downtown Development Authority set its priorities during a retreat on May 9. One of them was finding ways to retain and recruit businesses. Board members expressed interest in bringing back the Decatur Retail Incubator Program (DRIP). Three businesses participated in DRIP in 2021 when they moved into a brick-and-mortar location […]